Health in Focus Podcast

Harvard health economist Dr Benjamin Sommers examines what universal insurance does and does not solve, why the US spends far more for comparable care, and what countries like Australia should watch as inequality, ageing and fiscal pressures intensify. Chapters (00:00) - Intro (01:19) - Coverage versus access in universal systems (05:11) - The ‘voltage drop’ between insurance and outcomes (06:05)...

Australia’s GP billing landscape is shifting rapidly, with new Cleanbill data showing a sharp rise in fully bulk billing clinics alongside continued growth in out of pocket costs, raising complex questions about incentives, sustainability and equitable access to primary care. Chapters (00:00) - Intro (00:52) - Blue Report headline figures (02:14) - What is driving the bulk billing shift (03:39) -...

Telehealth is no longer a stopgap or crisis response but a permanent pillar of Australia’s health system, reshaping how care is accessed, funded and governed. Former health minister Greg Hunt reflects on how virtual care has matured since its rapid expansion, why access and quality must be advanced together, and what this means for funding reform, workforce capability and the future design of hosp...

Australia’s public hospital system is absorbing billions in additional funding each year, yet avoidable inefficiency remains deeply embedded, raising fundamental questions about how hospitals are funded, governed, and held accountable as the next National Health Reform Agreement is negotiated.  Chapters (00:00) - Intro (00:48) - Why $1.2 billion in hospital spending is avoidable (02:20) - Variatio...

Health economist Luke Slawomirski examines how incentives, governance and political decision-making have shaped Australia into an illness-focused system, and what structural reforms are needed to shift investment upstream towards prevention, outcomes and population health. Chapters (00:00) - Intro (00:49) - What an “illness system” looks like in practice (01:47) - The widening gap between lifespan...

Australia’s health system is often described as one of the world’s best, yet mounting pressures across primary care, hospitals, disability and private insurance suggest a system straining against outdated incentives, fragmented responsibilities and rising demand that current reforms only partially address. Chapters (00:00) - Intro (00:32) - Bulk billing targets and political expectations (03:00) -...

Pain affects millions of Australians, yet the health system still treats it as an invisible symptom rather than a condition requiring structured, long term care. In this discussion, Monika Boogs, CEO of Pain Australia, explains why chronic pain remains misunderstood, how stigma shapes care and access, and what systemic reforms are needed to better support people whose lives, work and relationships...

Endometriosis affects one in nine Australian women, yet the health system continues to respond with delayed diagnosis and fragmented care rather than structured pathways. This panel brings together lived experience and clinical leadership to examine why the condition remains underdiagnosed, how system design contributes to long delays, and what reforms could move Australia beyond awareness towards...

Katharine is joined by Krystal Barter, founder and CEO of Humanise Health, to examine why surgical menopause remains one of the most neglected areas of women’s healthcare. Drawing on lived experience shaped by genetic cancer risk, family history, and abrupt medical menopause, Barter argues that the system still treats ovary removal as a one-off surgical event rather than a lifelong health transiti...

Australia’s healthcare system is showing clear signs of strain, from hospital ramping and GP access delays to aged care waitlists. According to the Business Council of Australia, these pressures are not isolated failures but symptoms of a system designed for a different era. With chronic disease rising and workforce capacity tightening, reform is increasingly framed as an economic and productivity...

Australia’s ageing population is forcing governments to rethink how health, housing, and ageing policy intersect. Retirement living is increasingly viewed not just as a lifestyle option, but as a preventative health lever that can support healthy ageing, reduce pressure on hospitals and aged care, and improve system efficiency. The challenge is whether policy settings recognise its role. In this c...

Australia’s biotech sector is expanding rapidly, underpinned by world-class research, growing innovation pipelines, and increasing global interest. Yet without a clear, coordinated national strategy, much of that potential risks remaining fragmented or unrealised. The challenge is no longer capability, but intent and alignment. In this conversation, Dr Katharine Bassett is joined by Rebekah Cassid...

Health policy sits at the centre of Australia’s most pressing political and economic debates, spanning Medicare sustainability, bulk billing, aged care reform, and the future of the NDIS. As cost-of-living pressures intensify and scrutiny of government policy increases, the Opposition is positioning health as a defining issue for voters and the system alike. In this conversation, Dr Katharine Bass...

Australia’s health system is facing mounting pressure as public hospitals struggle with demand, workforce capacity tightens, and chronic disease continues to rise. At the same time, shifts in private health insurance toward managed care and vertical integration are reshaping how care is funded, delivered, and governed. These changes raise fundamental questions about patient choice, clinical autono...

Ambulance ramping, staff burnout, growing surgical waitlists—Queensland’s health system is under pressure. In the wake of the state budget, which promises big capital investments, is it enough to deliver meaningful change? In this episode of Health in Focus , Shadow Health Minister Hon Mark Bailey MP joins us to unpack what the budget gets right—and what’s missing. From rural health equity to perf...

Australia’s medical technology sector is at a tipping point. From digital health breakthroughs to sovereign manufacturing ambitions, medtech is poised to reshape how care is delivered—if the right policies are in place. In this episode of Health in Focus , Ian Burgess , CEO of the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), joins us to unpack the sector’s biggest opportunities and challeng...

Out-of-pocket costs for specialist care are back in the spotlight, with new research highlighting the complexity, and potential unfairness, of fees outside the public system. Patients often struggle to understand what Medicare covers, while doctors face real pressures that aren’t always visible in the debate. In this episode of Health in Focus , Dr Mike Freelander, Federal Member for Macarthur and...

For thousands of Australians diagnosed with a rare or less common cancer, the journey can be longer, lonelier, and far more uncertain. From delayed diagnoses to limited treatment options, patients often face additional hurdles — and in many cases, must turn to crowdfunding to access the care they need. In this episode of Health in Focus , Christine Cockburn , CEO of Rare Cancers Australia, discuss...

With the last national nutrition policy dating back to 1992, reform is long overdue. In this episode of Health in Focus , Dr Fiona Willer , President of Dieticians Australia, explores the critical role of nutrition in healthcare. We discuss the reforms needed to expand Medicare access, address aged care gaps, and ensure nutrition services aren’t left behind in NDIS reforms. 📥 JOIN Amplieo+ on Sub...

Australia’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) system is undergoing its first major reform in more than three decades. With new medicines, vaccines, and devices evolving faster than ever, how can we modernise our approval processes to keep pace - while still ensuring safety, value, and equitable access? Elizabeth de Somer , CEO of Medicines Australia, explains what the HTA Review is really about,...

General practice is the foundation of Australia’s healthcare system — but right now, it’s under immense pressure. From rising demand to stagnant funding, GPs are struggling to deliver the care communities rely on. 🎙️ Host: Dr Katharine Bassett 🎥 Featuring: Dr Ramya Raman, RACGP SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: 🎧 Listen to the Amplieo Side Chat podcast on Spotify STAY CONNECTED: 🤝 LinkedIn: https://lin...

Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a world-leading model for affordable access to medicines. But new tensions—including trade concerns with the United States—have sparked debate about how public health priorities are weighed against the commercial interests of global pharmaceutical companies. In this episode of Health in Focus , Paul Cross, founder of Daily Dispatch and a leading...

Private maternity services in Australia are under mounting pressure. Workforce shortages, rising delivery costs, and escalating out-of-pocket expenses are threatening the viability of the sector. At the same time, many private health insurance policies exclude pregnancy cover from lower-tier plans—making access increasingly inequitable. In this episode of Health in Focus , A/Prof Gino Pecoraro , P...

Anaesthesia is vital for safe, modern healthcare — but the specialty is under pressure. From workforce shortages to questions about professional autonomy in private hospitals, anaesthetists face complex challenges that demand clear policy solutions. In this episode of Health in Focus , A/Prof Suzi Nou — respected anaesthetist, advocate, and leader in the Australian medical community — joins us to...

How do we build a system that meets their unique needs and ensures dignity, care, and inclusion as we age? In this episode of Health in Focus , Patricia Sparrow, CEO of COTA Australia, joins us to discuss how the organisation is driving change in aged care, health, and social inclusion. From gender-responsive care to aged care reform and election priorities, we explore what’s needed to shape a sys...